Hydraulic valve operator and remote control

ABSTRACT

A mobile machine for cleaning sewer and like pipes has a water reservoir connected through an engine driven pump and plumbing to one end of a hose coiled on a rotatable reel, the other end of the hose having a discharge nozzle for entering the pipe to be cleaned. A hydraulic ciricuit is provided for actuating a water shut off valve in the plumbing and for control of speed and direction of rotation of the reel, and a remote control device is provided for operating solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit. The water shut off valve may be operated by electric motor independently of the hydraulic circuit.

United States Patent [1 1 Manor Oct. 7, 1975 HYDRAULIC VALVE OPERATORAND REMOTE CONTROL [75] Inventor: Paul A. Manor, Lima, Ohio [22] Filed:July 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 381,079

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 194,320, Nov.1

abandoned.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Reed 239/127 X Hammelmann239/198 X Heinicke et a1 239/172 3,372,875 3/1968 Torrey 239/126 X3,600,225 8/1971 Parmelee 134/168 C X 3.635230 l/l972 Kirschke 134/168 C3,658,589 4/1972 Shaddock 134/168 C X OTHER PUBLICATIONS VactorSalesBrochure by Meyes-Sherman Co.

Streater, Illinois.

Primary Exa minerJohn J. Love [57] ABSTRACT A mobile machine forcleaning sewer and like pipes has a water reservoir connected through anengine driven pump and plumbing to one end of a hose coiled on arotatable reel, the other end of the hose having a discharge nozzle forentering the pipe to be cleaned. A hydraulic ciricuit is provided foractuating a water shut off valve in the plumbing and for control ofspeed and direction of rotation of the reel, and a remote control deviceis provided for operating solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit. Thewater shut off valve may be operated by electric motor independently ofthe hydraulic circuit.

8'Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I 7 US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet1of23,916,497

FIG. I"

v 5 I z I I2 I I T FIG. 2

IN VENTOR 64 PAUL A. MANOR MWW ATTO 5Y5 U.S. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 2of2 3,910,497

L FIG. 4 I 3e I N VEN TOR ea -i 2- PAUL A. MANOR .9 9' 75 45 A BYHYDRAULIC VALVE OPERATOR 'AND REMOTE CONTROL This is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. l94,320, filed Nov. 1, 1971, now abandoned.

This invention relates to control of theflow of water or a like cleaningliquid between a source' such as a reservoir connected pump and adischarge device suchas a self propelled nozzle, and includes not only aspecial water control valve but a system for hydraulic actuation of thevalve and a remote control for the system.

Vehicle mounted pipe cleaning machines aregenerally known wherein wateris pumped through a hose mounted on a rotatable reel to discharge athigh velocity within a sewer or like pipe to be cleaned, but the watercontrol valves and plumbing and the controls for the valves arerelatively complex and must be actuated at a control panel at the rearof the truck. Examples of sewer cleaning machines of the general typeare disclosed in Hammelmann US. Pat. No. 3,165,109 and Goss US. Pat. No.3,321,184.

The present invention contemplates an improved sewer cleaning machinehaving a water control valve of novel structure and mode of operation,and this is a major object of the invention.

It is a further object of the invention to. provide a novel watercontrol valve for use at the outlet of a pump in a sewer or likecleaning machine wherein a sleeve valve element is displaced between oneposition wherein it blocks flow of water from the pump to a hose havinga discharge nozzle and diverts water to a bypass, and another positionwherein it'blocks the bypass and permits water under pump pressure toenter the hose.

A further object of the invention is to' provide a novel valve having amovable element adapted to be displaced in opposite directions betweentwo operative positions where line fluid is differently directed, saidelement being'responsive to line fluid pressure to displace it in onedirection and being hydraulically actuated in the other direction.

Another object of the invention is to'provide a novel valve assemblywherein a slidable port closure sleeve is operatively connected to apiston subject at opposite sides to hydraulic actuating pressure andfluid pressure of the line in which the valve is'installed.

It is another major object of the invention to provide a simplifiedwater control system embodying anovel water pressure responsive valveand a hydraulic actuator therefor. l g

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel hydraulicsystemfor selective actuation of a water supply valve'and a hydraulichose reel drive motor in a vehicle mounted sewer or like pipe cleaningmachine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel remote control forselective actuation of hydraulic circuit componentslcontrolling waterflow and hose movement in a vehicle mounted sewer or like pipe cleaningmachine. 7 e I Further objects of the invention willappear as thedescription proceeds in connection with the appended claims and theannexed drawings.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention will be disclosed asincorporated in a vehicle mounted seweror like pipe cleaning machinewherein the valve assembly is disposed between a motor driven pump andtl'i'einner end of a hose wound on a hydraulic motor driven reel.In-this embodiment a common hydraulic circuit is provided for the valveactuator and the reel motor, and

the circuit 'includesh ieans' for selecting the direction and speed ofthe reel motor. Solenoid operated valves in the hydraulic'systeriidisposed in hydraulic lines leadiifg to the valve operator and the reelmotor respectively are actuated from a remote control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a-generallyperspective pictorialview showing a vehicle equipped with the invention according to apreferred embodiment; I

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of part of the vehicle with the top removedand the cab broken away, showing the various "components.

FIG. 3 is a'partly diagrammatic and partly sectional view showing thehydraulically operated water control valve and the associated controls;and

'FIG.- 4 is a fragmentary section illustrating other means for operationof the control valve.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a roadwayvehicle ll stopped near avmanhole 12 leading to a sewer or drain (not shown) to be cleaned. A door13 swingable about a horizontal hinge 14 provides access to a controlpanel 15 and a reel 16 rotatable about a horizontal axis and about whichis wound a hose 17 having a discharge nozzle 18. A remote control unit19 is stored when not in use in a compartment 21 at the bottom of thepanel 15, and it is connected by electric conductor means 22 to effectsolenoid control of valves in the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 3 as willappear.

Hose 17 in coming off the reel passes over a free guide roller 23 on abracket 24 at the end of a rod 25 suitably adjustable in a socket 26 formovement toward or away from the vehicle.-

Referring to FIG. 2, a transverse motor 27, usually an internalcombustion engine unit within the vehicle body drives a water pump 28through a clutch 29 and a belt 31 extending between pulleys 32 and 33.Clutch 29 is engaged or disengaged through a rod 34 passing below pump28 and terminating in a knob 35 at the panel. Disengagement of theclutch 29 enables the pump 28 to be stopped while the hydraulic systemremains energizedf The discharge side of water pump 28, shown as conduit36 in FIG. 3, is connected into a water control valve 37 having anoutlet water conduit 38 leading to the interior of reel 16' where itisconnected, by some suitable means such as a conventional manifold (notshown) to the inlet end of the hose 17 on reel 16. When valve 37 is openas will appear, water is pumped through hose l7 and discharged throughthe nozzle 18. When valve 37 is closed no water is discharged throughthe hose -17.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve 37 comprises a tubular body 39having one end partially closed by an annular plate 30 and the other endthreaded at 41 into 1 the pump discharge conduit 36 so as to besupported oi; the water pump. Intermediate its ends body 39 has alateral outlet port collar 42 which is connected to hose l '7by conduit38. Body 39 also has a bypass outlet collar 43 connected to the watersupply reservoir on the truck body and a gauge port collar 44 conasuitable conduit to a water pressure gauge one end pivotally connectedat48'to sleeve 46 on a diameter of the sleeve 46.,Rod 47 is rigid with aplunger 49 which extends through end plate 30 to a rigid con- 52 securedat one end on the end of tubular body 39 which is partially closed byplate 30. The other end of cylinder52 is closed by a circular plate.

Plunger 49 is mounted for sliding movement through the aperture of endplate where the plunger is sealed by suitable means such asO-ring 30 toprevent leakage, across the plate 30. The periphery of piston 51 issealed by similar means 51' to prevent leakage across the piston.Cylinder 52 is vented to atmosphere-asshown at 52, thereby providing aninterior chamber at atmospheric pressure between annular end plate .30and moveable piston 51. 7

When sleeve 46 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the valve is closedand no water is pumped through hose 17 but instead the water is bypassedthrough port 43 and a conduit (not shown) back to the water reservoirtank 40. As will appear sleeve 46 may be displaced to the right in FIG.3to uncover port 42 and thereby connect hose 17 to the pump outlet andto close the bypass port 3, to establish communication between conduit56 and reservoir R. Valve 55 is displaced to the open position. to theright shown in FIG; 3,to establish hydraulic communication'betweenconduits 54 and 56 by energization of a solenoid 59.

Conduit 53 is connected through a variable orifice device 61 and a flowcontrolvalve 62 to a reelcontrol valve 63. The orifice size at 61 isadjusted to maintain fluid pressure in. line 54 above theminimumpressure required to drive piston 51 against the water pressure presentin tubular body 39. Flow control valve 62is provided with a rotaryknobcontrol 64 mounted on the control panel 15 to permit the operator tovary the How of hydraulic fluid to reel'control valve 63.

Valve 63 is illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 3 where fluidflowing through the conduit 53 is returned to the hydraulic fluidreservoir R and no hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic reelmotor 66. Oppositely disposed solenoids 67 and 68 may be selec tivelyenergized to shift valve 63 in one direction or the other to drive thereel motor 66 in opposite directions.

The speed at which the reel motor is driven in either direction iscontrolled by dialing the rotary control knob 64 to adjust the flow offluid through valve 62.

Solenoids 67 and 68 are connected by conductors69 and 71 respectively ofconductor means 22 to contacts 72 and 73 of remote control unit 19. Aswitch arm 74 is connected by conductor 75 to a source of electricalpower 76. When arm 74 is turned to engage contact 72, solenoid 67 isenergized to displace valve 63 to connect reel motor 66 to be driven inone direction, and when arm 74 is turned to engage contact 73, solenoid68 is energized to displace valve 63 to connect reel motor66 to bedriven in the other direction. Thus the remote control unit selects thedirection of rotation of reel 16 7 57 back to the reservoir R. Thismovement continues and therefore thewinding andunwinding of hose 17 atthe reel. When switch arm 74 is not engaged with either 1 contact asshown in FIG. 3, the valve 73 is centered in closed position by opposedsprings (not shown) and reel motor 66'is not'driven.'

A second switch arm 76 is providedat the remote 1 control unit 19 toopen valve 55. The switch arm 76 is connected to conductor 75 andmay beclosed to en-' gage a contact 77 which is connected by aconductor 78 tosolenoid 59 of valve 55.. Switch 76 is illustrated in the open positionin FIG. 3 but it may be closed to energize solenoid59 and open valve 55.When switch arm 76 is disengaged from contact 77 solenoid 59 isdeenergized and spring 58 displaces valve to the closed 7 position. Thecontrolof the flow of water from pump 28 to the hose 17 is thus effectedby closing switch arm 76 at the remote control unit 19.

The operation of the pipe cleaning machine will now' be described. Theengine 27 is started to drive hydraulic pump 50 and water pump 28 to'develop hydraulic fluid pressure in the conduit 53 and water pressure atthe pump outlet 36. At this time switch arms 74 and 76 i are both openand the various components are in their respective positions illustratedin FIG. 3. The open ended sleeve element 46 of valve 37 is disposed inclosing position over port 42 and water discharged at the pump outlet 36flows through bypass outlet port 43 and a conduit back to the water tank40. Solenoid actuated hydraulic valves 55 and .63 are both closed andhydrau-.

lic fluid delivered to conduit 53 is returned to the hy-. draulic fluidreservoir R.

When it is desired to supply water to hose 17, switch arm 76 is moved toengage Contact 77 thereby energizing solenoid 59 to open valve 55' andprovidccommunication between hydraulic fluid conduits 54 and 56. In

this position valve 55 supplies hydraulicfluid under.

pressure to actuator chamber-57 of cylinder 52 where the'fluid displacespiston 51 to the right as shown in 9 FIG. 3. The hydraulic fluidpressure, available through" conduit 54 is pre-set by means of theorifice 61 to insure that the pressure developed in actuator chamber 57is greater than the water, pressure acting on rod 47 and plunger 49. Asthe piston 51 movesto the right it displaces sleeve 46 to. the rightuntil it uncovers port 42 and blocks bypass port43. With the sleeve 46closing port 43, the valve 37 is open and watervdischarged at the pumpoutlet 36 flows through the sleeve 46, port 42 and conduit 38 to thehose l7 wherejt is discharged at the nozzle 18.

The rate of water flow through hose l7 may be varied acting on the. rod47 and the plunger head 49 drivesv the piston 51 to the left. as shownin FIG. 3.and displaces the hydraulic fluid present in actuator chamberuntil the shoulder provided by plunger head 49' is stopped by end plate30 which in turn positions sleeve 46 to close port 42. Any additionalwater delivered to the valve 37at. the pump outlet 36 passes throughbypass port 43 to the water tank 40.

terminated by open I Switch arm76 may be spring biased to its opened ordisengaged water bypass position to prevent inadvertent emptying ofwater tank 40.

Reel 16 may be rotated to pay out hose 17 or reel in the hose byengaging switch arm 74 with contact 72 or 73. 1

an operator standing near the manhole to better observe progress of thehose may carry theremote control unit with him to reel or unreel thehose and to effect on-off controlof water through the hose. It will benoted that water pressure gauge 45 is always operative regardless 'ofthe position of valve sleeve'46 FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment ofthe'invention wherein the same numbers will be used to designatecomponents already described in connection with the foregoingdescription of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment it willbe understood that hydraulic actuator cylinder 52, valve 55 and theconduits 54 and 56 are eliminated from the circuit of FIG. 3 which isotherwise used.

In FIG. 4 sleeve 46 is actuated by a rod 81 that is pivoted to thesleeve at 82 and extends slidably through a plug 83 at the end of valvebody 39. An O-ring seal 84 prevents water leakage around the rod 81. Aperipheral seal ring 85 is also provided to prevent leakage into hoseport 42 when sleeve 46 has been shifted to close port 42.

Rod 81 is formed outside the valve body with rack teeth 86 meshed with agear 87 driven by an electric motor 88 which in this embodiment isconnected to be controlled by a switch arm 91 of the remote control unit19. Switch arm 91 is biased by a spring 94 to a neutral open position,but may be moved to momentarily engage contact 92 or 93 which are wiredto drive the motor 88 in opposite directions. Momentary engagement ofswitch arm 91 with contact 92 or 93 will suffice to drive the motor 88and gear 87 in one direction or the other to move rod 81 and sleeve 46to open and close ports 42 and 43.

While I have indicated the remote control unit as comprising switchesconnected by flexible, extensible conductors to the various solenoidvalves and/or the electric motor 88, it will be understood that remotecontrol may be effected by providing suitable radio or sonic wavetransmitters at remote control unit 19 and coacting receivers at thesolenoids and/or motor to be controlled.

The above described valve 37 which permits water' from the pump outletto bypass the hose conduit 38 and be returned directly to the watereservoir also permits the elimination of clutch 29 in some embodimentsof this invention. The primary function of the clutch 29 is to permitthe operator to disengage the pump 28 while the engine 27 remains inoperation to drive the hydraulic pump 50. The bypass valve 37 whichpemiits the operator to return water directly to the water tank 40eliminates the need for a clutch. The engine 27 can be provided with adirect drive to pump 28 which will result in substantial savings in thecost of the pipe cleaning machine and insure that suitable 'waterpressure is available at the pump outlet when solenoid actuated valve 55is energized.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingintherefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a system for controlling the flow of water from a pump connectedto a reservoir to a hose having a discharge nozzle, a valve having abody containing movable piston means, means whereby said piston means isexposed at one end to water at pump pressure, means defining anactuatorchamber at the other end of said piston means, means providing hydraulicpressure distinct from said pump pressure in said actuator chamber,means providing spaced ports in said body connected to said hose and abypass to saidreservoir respectively, had a valve element in said bodyconnected to said piston means so that when there is effective bydraulicpressure in said chamber the piston means is displaced in one directionto dispose said valve element to close the bypass port and permit waterto be pumped through said hose and when there is no effective hydraulicpressure in said chamber water under pump pressure is operative tooppositely displace said piston means to dispose said valve element toclose the port leading to the hose while permitting bypass of water fromthe pump to the reservoir.

2. In the system defined in claim I, said system comprising a source ofhydraulic pressure connected by a passage to said chamber, and asolenoid operated valve in said passage.

3. In the system defined in claim 1, a rotatable reel on which part ofsaid hose is wound, and means for rotating said reel to feed or retractsaid hose comprising a hydraulic motor connected to a conduit from asource of hydraulic pressure to drive the reel and adjustable valvemeans in said conduit for selecting the direction of drive of said reelor for stopping rotation of the reel.

4. In the system defined in claim 2, a hydraulic motor connected todrive a reel on which part of said hose is wound, a hydraulic lineconnecting said motor to a source of hydraulic pressure, and means insaid line adjustable for regulating the speed of said motor.

5. In the system defined in claim 4, said speed adjustment means being aflow control valve in said line.

6. In the system defined in claim 1, adjustable means for setting theeffective hydraulic pressure in said actuator chamber above the minimumpressure required to shift said piston means against the water pumppressure.

7. A machine for cleaning sewer or like pipes and including a hose woundon a rotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end andwater conduit means connecting the other end of said hose through awater pump to a water reservoir on the machine, said machine beingmounted on a mobile support adapted to be located near an access openingthrough which said hose may be extended to dispose the nozzle incleaning relation relative to said pipes, characterized by a first meansfor controlling the direction of rotation of the reel comprising ahydraulic motor for rotating said reel, a hydraulic pump providing acource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, hydraulic fluid conduit meansbetween said hydraulic pump and motor and a solenoid valve in saidconduit means, a second means including a water valve in said waterconduit, hydraulic actuator means operated by a second solenoid opertoboth of said solenoid valves through said cable means and having switchdevices connected for selectively, reversibly actuating each of saidsolenoid valves.

8. A machine for cleaning sewer or like pipesand including a hose woundon a rotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end andwater conduit means connecting the other end of said hose through awater pump'to a water reservoir on the machine,

characterized by a first means for controlling the direction of rotationof the reel comprising a hydraulic motor for rotating said reel, ahydraulic pumpproviding a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure,hydrau- "lic fluid conduit means between said hydraulic pump and motoranda first solenoid valve in said conduit means, a second meansincluding a water valve in said water conduit means having a hydraulicactuator unit operated by an electrical actuator device comprising asecond solenoid operated. valve for controlling flow of water from thewater pump to the hose, and a remote control unit disposed in spacedrelation to said discharge nozzle having switch devices connected forselectively actuating said solenoid valve andsaid electri cal actuatordevice.

1. In a system for controlling the flow of water from a pump connectedto a reservoir to a hose having a discharge nozzle, a valve having abody containing movable piston means, means whereby said piston means isexposed at one end to water at pump pressure, means defining an actuatorchamber at the other end of said piston means, means providing hydraulicpressure distinct from said pump pressure in said actuator chamber,means providing spaced ports in said body connected to said hose and abypass to said reservoir respectively, had a valve element in said bodyconnected to said piston means so that when there is effective hydraulicpressure in said chamber the piston means is displaced in one directionto dispose said valve element to close the bypass port and permit waterto be pumped through said hose and when there is no effective hydraulicpressure in said chamber water under pump pressure is operative tooppositely displace said piston means to dispose said valve element toclose the port leading to the hose while permitting bypass of water fromthe pump to the reservoir.
 2. In the system defined in claim 1, saidsystem comprising a source of hydraulic pressure connected by a passageto said chamber, and a solenoid operated valve in said passage.
 3. Inthe system defined in claim 1, a rotatable reel on which part of saidhose is wound, and means for rotating said reel to feed or retract saidhose comprising a hydraulic motor connected to a conduit from a sourceof hydraulic pressure to drive the reel and adjustable valve means insaid conduit for selecting the direction of drive of said reel or forstopping rotation of the reel.
 4. In the system defined in claim 2, ahydraulic motor connected to drive a reel on which part of said hose iswound, a hydraulic line connecting said motor to a source of hydraulicpressure, and means in said line adjustable for regulating the speed ofsaid motor.
 5. In the system defined in claim 4, said speed adjustmentmeans being a flow control valve in said line.
 6. In the system definedin claim 1, adjustable means for setting the effective hydraulicpressure in said actuator chamber above the minimum pressure required toshift said piston means against the water pump pressure.
 7. A machinefor cleaning sewer or like pipes and including a hose wound on arotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end and waterconduit means connecting the other end of said hose through a water pumpto a water reservoir on the machine, said machine being mounted on amobile support adapted to be located near an access opening throughwhich said hose may be extended to dispose the nozzle in cleaningrelation relative to said pipes, characterized by a first means forcontrolling the direction of rotation of the reel comprising a hydraulicmotor for rotating said reel, a hydraulic pump providing a cource ofhydraulic fluid under pressure, hydraulic fluid conduit means betweensaid hydraulic pump and motor and a solenoid valve in said conduitmeans, a second means including a water valve in said water conduit,hydraulic actuator means operated by a second solenoid operated valvefor controlling flow of water from the water pump to the hose, and aremote control unit for control of said solenoid valves at a pointspaced from said support disposed in spaced relation to said dischargenozzle and adapted to be normally stored on said support independentlyof hose movement in spaced relation to said hose and being connected tosaid support by flexible cable means, said unit being electricallyconnected to both of said solenoid valves through said cable means andhaving switch devices connected for selectively reversibly actuatingeach of said solenoid valves.
 8. A machine for cleaning sewer or likepipes and including a hose wound on a rotatable reel and having adischarge nozzle at its free end and water conduit means connecting theother end of said hose through a water pump to a water reservoir on themachine, characterized by a first means for controlling the direction ofrotation of the reel comprising a hydraulic motor for rotating saidreel, a hydraulic pump providing a source of hydraulic fluid underpressure, hydraulic fluid conduit means between said hydraulic pump andmotor and a first solenoid valve in said conduit means, a second meansincluding a water valve in said water conduit means having a hydraulicactuator unit operated by an electrical actuator device comprising asecond solenoid operated valve for controlling flow of water from thewater pump to the hose, and a remote control unit disposed in spacedrelation to said discharge nozzle having switch devices connected forselectively actuating said solenoid valve and said electrical actuatordevice.